ALL WE KNOW IS KOVALCHUK SAID “NO”

Helene Elliot has reported that “Kings General Manager Dean Lombardi said Sunday afternoon that the high-scoring free agent decided against joining the Kings, who had targeted him as the productive winger they urgently need and a marquee player who might generate some buzz around town.”

Beyond Lombardi’s quote that he took his best shot but could not meet the team and Ilya’s needs, we don’t know anything else.

Helene reports, “He would not elaborate on where the Kings’ offer fell short or where Kovalchuk might be headed. The New Jersey Devils and New York Islanders have also shown interest in signing the dynamic winger, who earlier this year turned down offers from Atlanta worth $101 million over 12 years and $70 million over seven years.”